NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
45 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 6, 2025
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me be…
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I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me before I could put on my warning blinkers.Eventually, I turned off and on the pickup and everything worked somewhat normally but the vehicle went into limp mode. I got home, had the vehicle towed to the dealership. I explained issue, requested a total diagnosis of everything that was wrong but most importantly, I wanted the total power loss issue diagnosed, pinpointed and resolved. because I don't feel safe driving until issue is truly diagnosed and fixed. I gave them my lifetimecarmaxplus warranty . The techs found a list of parts that needed to be fixed besides the power loss problem, but told me they couldn't fix the total power loss because no codes had been thrown. I explained that since there was a total power loss it was reported by other Dodge techs that no codes could be retrieved. I asked the service manager to ask his tech what diagnostics were used and to what extent to determine the problem. He said he would call me after talking to his tech but never did. I went to the dealership 2 weeks later and asked what he found out from his tech. He was confused and apparently never did anything more about the situation. I called Chrysler warranty, they gave me a case number but again seemed oblivious to the total power loss and fixing this major safety issue. No one has attempted to address the problem or offered to have another mechanic inspect the vehicle. There were no codes that I saw on the dash and I did try to immediately retrieve any but none came up. The front passenger window locks also had been working intermittently 2 mos prior. My husband reported vehicle going in limp mode briefly 2 days prior to ...all electrical issues
NHTSA ODI #11703467
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to…
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This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to cross an intersection, I lost all steering control and the truck shut down mid turn in the middle of the intersection. This left the truck immobilized in the intersection and facing into oncoming traffic. Following each incident, I put the truck in park and restart it as if there was no issue. There are no warning lights that appear prior to any of the incidents that would indicate an issue and the instrument panel goes dark each time the issue occurs. This is going to get me and/or my family killed one of these days. I have researched this online and there are countless reports from other 2011 Ram owners experiencing the same exact issue. How has a safety recall not been issued for this?
NHTSA ODI #11560553
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2022
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury
Yesterday, the Front Right Wheel completely separated from the axel while driving 25 mph. The truck veered sharply to the right, crashing into the driver's side of a fortunately unoccupied parked car, and continued to the right into the curb. I was not seriously injured, though my neck was strained. The tire and rim were destroy…
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Yesterday, the Front Right Wheel completely separated from the axel while driving 25 mph. The truck veered sharply to the right, crashing into the driver's side of a fortunately unoccupied parked car, and continued to the right into the curb. I was not seriously injured, though my neck was strained. The tire and rim were destroyed, and it appears that the metal attachment from the wheel to the car was completely sheared through. There was also extensive Front End damage. Had I made it another mile to the parkway, this would have been a fatal injury to me, as well as other drivers. The truck was just inspected 2 days prior to this occurrence by a Certified Dodge Ram Dealer (NY Facility #[XXX]) with a clean health record. It is currently at the North Star Auto Body (516-781-2200) awaiting inspection by the Allstate Insurance adjuster (Claim # [XXX]). A police report was also filed. (Case #[XXX]) There was no warning to this catastrophic event. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11482068
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
WIN IGNITION UNIT CAN Turn off BY KEY FOB MOVEMENT WHEN DRIVING CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITH LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING Control *** Fuel pump remains on when vehicle is off and key fob is removed. Risk of fuel pump fire and electrial FIRE. **TIPM SHORTS AT FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSING FUEL pump to continually operate and drain …
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WIN IGNITION UNIT CAN Turn off BY KEY FOB MOVEMENT WHEN DRIVING CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITH LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING Control *** Fuel pump remains on when vehicle is off and key fob is removed. Risk of fuel pump fire and electrial FIRE. **TIPM SHORTS AT FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSING FUEL pump to continually operate and drain battery and risk of fire FUEL pUMP TO CONTINUALLY RUN AND operate RISK OF FIRE DAMAGE TO Surroundings. fuel pump runs WITH VEHICLE IGNITION OFF AND KEY REMOVeD CAUSING A DRAIN ON THE VEHICLE battery until battery is fully discharged.
NHTSA ODI #11443188
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
In march/ 2020 my truck shut off 3xs going down the hwy with me and my kids in it . all without any warning. Upon the third event it caused my truck to began losing power to my headlights and tail lights and no hazards as well ? Which i thought was a very concerning matter especially at night... Very dangerous and it could have…
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In march/ 2020 my truck shut off 3xs going down the hwy with me and my kids in it . all without any warning. Upon the third event it caused my truck to began losing power to my headlights and tail lights and no hazards as well ? Which i thought was a very concerning matter especially at night... Very dangerous and it could have had one of us hurt or even killed . i payed 150 for a wrecker and hauled it to a mechanic that night . over the course of the next few days they checked it and no signs of the same thing recurring while at the shop . payed another 75 dollars amd drove truck for another couple months and then the same thing happening again . yet this time i was lucky enough to be just pulling out of my driveway . took to mechanic again paying a friend 75 to carry by tow dolly . only to be told nothing was wrong . its like my truck is possessed . later on the truck ended up shorting my fuel pump and my tipm costing me alot of money 1400 to replace the tipm. And 535 to replace the fuel pump . then 1 yr later again the security light on dash came on and bam it burnt my fuel pump up again , thus causing me to fork out another 535 plus a by pass relay harmess for 135. Luckily i have had no more issues out of the fuel pump . knock on wood ... But the truck still shoots the security light on and causes all my lights to stop working and puts me in harms way whenever the truck feels like acting up . this is ridiculous and dangerous bc might i add me and my family were in the vehicle in almost every instance that occured. And thats not safe . i thought highly of dodge but now im starting to wonder if its even safe to have me and my family. In this truck again . luckily the last two time the incident occured i was leaving my house so i was able to have help getting it back in my drive way when it unlocked from its lock down mode. But there has 5o be some type of issue that can be resolved after the amount of money payed for the repairs and the cost of truck as well
NHTSA ODI #11432868
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
THE VEHICLE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET AND HIGHWAY ALMOST GETTING INTO TWO ACCIDENTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN MY VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #11365976
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2020
Power TrainSteering
2011 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BUY BACK PROGRAM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BUYBACK PROGRAM FOR STEERING AND AXLE FAILURES.*JS
NHTSA ODI #11302054
115,850 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control
CURRENTLY HAS A HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION THAT IS PUTTING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK. IN THE SPAN OF 2 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY "LOCK" UP WHILE IN DRIVE ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNNY AND CLEAR, NOT TOO BRIGHT, NOT TOO WINDY OR WET AT ALL, NO FOG) WHEN PERFORMING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROPRIATE TURN …
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CURRENTLY HAS A HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION THAT IS PUTTING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK. IN THE SPAN OF 2 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY "LOCK" UP WHILE IN DRIVE ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNNY AND CLEAR, NOT TOO BRIGHT, NOT TOO WINDY OR WET AT ALL, NO FOG) WHEN PERFORMING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROPRIATE TURN SPEEDS. YOU WOULD BE UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF HARM'S WAY WHEN THE WHEEL TENSES AND LOCKS UP COMPLETELY LIKE THIS. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THIS ISSUE WAS TURNING ON A RIGHT LANE WITH YOUR OWN PROTECTED LANE AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE TURN. IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I EASED MY FOOT FORCIBLY ONTO THE BRAKE SO THAT I COULD AVOID BRAKING TOO HARD AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN OUT OR WORSE, HITTING THE POLE THAT IS DIRECTLY 200 FEET AWAY (APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 35MPN AND BRAKE REACTION TIME WAS 2 SECONDS, ACCOUNTING FOR INITIAL NOTICE OF THE SUDDEN TENSION AND LOSS OF COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK'S STEERING.). THE SECOND ENCOUNTER OCCURRED WITHIN A 2 MONTH SPAN, THIS TIME CAREFULLY APPROACHING A STREET INTERSECTION. I FORTUNATELY REALIZED WHAT WAS OCCURRING AND TRIED TO MOVE FAR RIGHT AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY BUT I COULD ONLY MAINTAIN MY APPROPRIATE LANE. AT FIRST I COULD NOT TAKE OUT THE KEY OR TURN IT ON OR OFF. IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE TO MY REALIZATION. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE TRUCK BACK ON AND CONTINUE MY WAY TO WORK. HOWEVER, I COULD ONLY BE PARANOID THAT THIS COULD OCCUR TO ME UNDER MORE SEVERE OR WORSE CONDITIONS LIKE RAIN OR FOG. WHAT IF THIS MALFUNCTION WERE TO OCCUR TO ME IF I WAS ON A VERY ELEVATED HIGHWAY OR HAD SOMEONE TAILING ME AT THAT VERY INSTANCE?
NHTSA ODI #11302894
69,000 miles · Nov 6, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO GRIND AND BOUNCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TAKEN TO SURESKY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 2 HATFIELD LN, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (888) 633-3227) WHERE IT WAS DIAGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO GRIND AND BOUNCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TAKEN TO SURESKY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 2 HATFIELD LN, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (888) 633-3227) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11278453
127,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Power TrainSteering
PULLING OFF A ROADWAY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, TRUCK STALLED, CANT TURN STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! RESTARTED IT, VERY HARD TO START LIKE IT WAS OUT OF TIME.AFTER RESTART, DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES , AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DINGED THE WARNING CHIME. CONTINUED TO FLASH ENGINE LIGHT. HAD TH…
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PULLING OFF A ROADWAY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, TRUCK STALLED, CANT TURN STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! RESTARTED IT, VERY HARD TO START LIKE IT WAS OUT OF TIME.AFTER RESTART, DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES , AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DINGED THE WARNING CHIME. CONTINUED TO FLASH ENGINE LIGHT. HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE READ AND THE PROBLEM IS # 5 CYLINDER MISFIRE. WORN LIFTER OR CAMSHAFT.THIS ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A TRUCK WITH PERFECT MAINTENANCE! AT 125,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11210789
Official recalls
4Mar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Feb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Dec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.